Easiest exercise for someone fundamentally lazy - do I have to run?

[TooStressyForMyOwnGood]

So I have two DC, youngest is 3 and am finally starting to feel a bit more like 'me' again. Feeling as if I should really be doing more exercise but tbh I just can't be arsed.

It's for fitness rather than weight loss although I'd like to tone my tummy a bit. I used to be super fit pre DC (martial arts) but I just don't have the inclination for that now and also I don't think I have the pelvic floor .

I'm not actually that unfit, walk frequently and run after DC all the time, am often late so lots of running to get places. Starting to miss the feeling of being really fit though. Money is tight and it needs to be something that takes me out of the house as I get interrupted in the house and would rather spend my evenings on mumsnet!

It's running isn't it? I just find it so boring. Also DH is a semi serious runner so I am bored enough of hearing about personal bests, etc.

Basically is there an easy exercise for lazy people? And if I have to run, is half an hour a week enough?

Pilates or barre class works up more of a sweat than you might have thought

Olenna, could you recommend any YouTube links/DVDs for barre routines?

Ok, was going to start next week but have belatedly remembered I'm working from home tomorrow so can justify going for a run in place of morning commute. Will have about half an hour, just time for me to do 5k I think. Or will check out one if those exercise routines. Ugh. I used to get a runner's high within about 1k, now it takes me over 5k normally so don't even have that to look forward to!

Working from home is a rare thing for me btw so I can't really factor it in to an exercise routine - this is the first time in about 6 months.

If you find the thought of running dull I don't know that you'll stick to it v well, especially through the winter.

Swimming is great but personally I find classes the best thing b/c you book it & commit to it, & it's good to have instructed exercise so you use different muscle groups, etc. I love Aqua Fit & I also found my body got so much stronger and fitter from Pilates.

Hmm good point abe. Might run tomorrow and see how it feels then try to find something I actually enjoy.

Just looked at 30 day shred - 20 mins is doable. Would try it on YouTube first before buying I think. Do I just start at level 1? Also I don't own weights so do I need to buy any?

Anyone done any of the Erin O'Brien DVDs? I loved her when I was pregnant first time round and she has an exercise DVD. Might actually enjoy that but from some of the reviews it might be too easy? Not remotely a stealth boast, not saying it would be easy now but want to do something that gets me properly fit rather than just a bit fitter.

When I did the Shred the first time, I started with tins of beans instead of weights. Once I decided I could tolerate it enough to spend money, I bought some hand weights. I did that, then JM's Ripped in 30, then got pregnant and sat on my knackered arse for 4 years. I'm now half way through the Shred again, averaging 3 times a week, and seeing results already.

I love yoga especially ashtanga. I'm very lazy and to me it's exercising without realising it almost. I find almost all other forms of exercise boring and pointless but for some reason yoga keeps my interest.

Squirrell thanks, will try just YouTube and cans if beans to start then . busybeesmum I did think of yoga but, as my username suggests, can't really be doing with all this mindfulness business. Maybe it's not all like that though?

Looked up my local leisure centre and there are absolutely no classes I would be able to get too on a regular basis at the moment. Will check if anything else is on but think it's just running / me and a DVD for now.

Aaargh to not too.

Google ashtanga yoga on YouTube. There's lots of 15-20 min workouts which are nothing to do with mindfulness ☺ I always feel really stretched and toned after ashtanga. I try to do the sun salutes on a daily basis if nothing else.

Will do some investigation tomorrow, thanks. Determined to do something even if it's just a quick run while I have a semblance of motivation.

Why is there nothing I can do that requires no effort while I sit and watch telly with crisps?!

Just googled barre "ballet class youtube" and loads of stuff came up. Haven't looked at them yet but seems to be a fair few.

I totally failed at that walking workout! I'm even more uncoordinated than I thought as I can't manage to do different arms and legs at the same time. Pathetic, but I liked the Pilates

Woo hoo just did one of the 30 day shred videos . Thanks for the motivation everyone.

Really concerned that this will seem like stealth boast and I don't mean it that way please don't be offended but...

It wasn't that hard? Am very ashamed of my terrible press ups (would have been kicked out of taekwondo Xmas for mine) and legs ached at times but otherwise don't feel as if I have done much. Is this normal and I should keep at level one for a few more days like she says? Or would you just go straight to level 2? Don't want to waste precious coffee drinking time when I could be getting fitter.

Taekwondo Xmas?! Taekwondo class clearly. Perhaps had better start proof reading as well as exercising

See, I took one look at that 30 Day Shred and said, fuck no!

But I am very aged, (50) as my children keep telling me.

Take a look also at HIIT on Youtube (Joe Wicks et al). I loathe exercise with vengeance but I can make myself do a HIIT session because they are so short.

improvising, I like the idea of 10 minutes! Bagel I'm just the wrong side of 35 so maybe that's it :) . Also used to train quite heavily in my youth and I think one of the benefits of that is it leaves you with a residual level of fitness (no idea if that's true or not!). Think I'll just try level 2 anyway as was going to cheat and not do it every single day anyway.

Can I join in? I'm on second day of 30-Day Shred and feeling pleasantly smug relieved that it hasn't killed me... but then I blew it by looking at Level 2 . We are in for a World of Pain (although I like Jillian's assertion that pain is "fear leaving the body").

Hi just to say when my kids were younger, I downloaded the 7 minute workout to my ipad. It's like HITT or metafit, 2 sessions of this was quite hard. I liked the one with people doing the exercises so I could follow them. Also, if your youngest is still in a buggy, could you do some power walking whilst pushing the buggy, that would be hard work!

Hi lala . That's something to look forward to then with level 2! I've decided to be realistic otherwise I won't stick it out so not aiming to do 30 day shred every day. Going to do quick run after school drop off as would normally walk back home so may as well run as have a childfree 20 - 30 mins before work. Not enough time for me to do 5k but is better than nothing. I'm going to start posting on the Octoberthon in here I think as if I post it somewhere I tend to achieve more!

Ooh planet will check that out, thanks

Did this one today. Like the 3 different options available, so you can mix it up a bit

Hi planet - how's it going? I'm on Day 5 of Jillian and am getting used to it.